Page 51 of Feathers and Thorns

The trio stood nervously before the king, wondering what news he had for them regarding Edras Mora. The distractions from the previous evening had now subsided, and their chests filled with worry for their tracker friend and his lover.

“Come. Sit. Eat,” King Elias commanded, gesturing to the empty chairs that surrounded the large gray table. It was made of carved stone that speckled as though stars had been trapped within the dark rock.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” they replied in unison. They ate in a rush, wanting to get a move on as early as possible and fidgeted with the remnants of their breakfast as the king wiped stray toasted wheat breadcrumbs from his beard.

“So, back to business,” he said, placing his elbows on the table after the servants had removed his plate and clasped his hands together.

“Yes,” Soren said. “You mentioned something happened to the King of Patrivah. We were hoping you could share with us whatever details you may have.”

“You seem like wonderful folk, but there is only so much I can reveal to commoners,” he replied. “Protocols and such.”

“That is why we brought this,” Baz said, handing the King Jai’s heritage documents, still sealed from the late King Otis.

King Elias broke the seal and read the contents, stroking his beard thoughtfully. His large brows furrowed, and the group held their breaths, unsure of what he would say.

“I have corresponded with King Otis many times during my reign in an effort to heal what our grandfathers damaged all those years ago, and I recognize this to be his writing and royal seal. But one detail is of concern to me.”

“And that is …?” Enara asked, her mouth dry with worry.

“He names Jaideep Ashwood as the true heir of Patrivah, but unless there was some confusion with my informants, it also matches the name of the man arrested for his murder.”

The Previous Day – Edras Mora

August continued to stare at Jai, a lecherous grin revealing yellowing teeth. His eyes were the color of watered-down mud, and his shoulder-length brown hair hung in greasy tendrils around his face.

“After all this time, the prodigal son finally returns,” he said, his nasally voice grating on Jai’s nerves.

“So this, the whole time, you knew,” Jai said. It was not a question but a statement. “You knew who I was when you ordered that archer to take me out,” he growled.

Adaryn, who had thought the injury was caused by their escape attempt in Idatia, slapped her hand to her mouth in shock. “You. Did. What?” she asked, pinning the haggard man with narrowed eyes. They normally held the innocence of a fawn, but at the thought of her uncle intentionally hurting Jai, they filled with barely contained fury.

“Yes, why don’t you tell her how you paid off an assassin to take out your own nephew?” Jai continued, coming to her side.

“I am quite offended that you would insinuate such a thing. Especially considering, since our sweet Princess Adaryn over here is unwed, I will be labeled steward, which makes you a traitor to the crown.”

Adaryn had heard enough. She shook the rafters when she yelled, “Guards!”

The two guards stationed outside the king’s quarters came rushing in, swords raised, expecting the worst.

Adaryn was about to have August arrested, but he spoke first.

“Arrest this man,” he said, pointing to Jai.

The tracker scoffed. “On what grounds?”

His uncle’s lips curled, as if hearing the punchline to a joke that only he understood. “For illegal tracking ventures and the assassination of the king.”

“He lies!” Adaryn screamed in Jai’s defense, unable to control her temper.

“The poor girl is distraught. He is her lover, you see. She has been seeing him behind the duke’s back and is no doubt an accomplice to her father’s murder.”

“You’re insane!” she spat as the guards moved to make their arrests. “He tried to kill Jai during my kidnapping. He was probably the one who had me kidnapped in the first place,” she said as they pinned her and Jai’s arms behind their backs.

“We will find a way out of this, Addy. Save your fight for later,” Jai said softly. He could have easily taken out the guards and cut down August himself, but what would that get them? It would leave Patrivah in political duress, and they would live a life on the run.

He turned his gaze to August and, to his uncle’s surprise, he smiled. “Maybe not tomorrow, or the next day,” he said, his voice eerily calm, “but you will receive everything you have ever deserved. I can only hope I am around to see it.”

And with that, they were removed from the room, stealing final glances at their late king, knowing they would not lay eyes on him again.

---